Nov 26, 2025
Notes from Poland
One of the leaders of the mass protests against the introduction of a near-total abortion ban in Poland has been denied security clearance by the security services.
As a result, she will not be able to continue working in a government commission investigating surveillance of civil society groups, including her own movement, by the security services under the former Law and Justice (PiS) administration.
22.10.2025
October 22 marks five years since the autumn of 2020, when hundreds of thousands of people poured onto the streets of more than 600 cities and towns across Poland in the largest demonstrations since the Solidarity movement helped bring down communism in 1989.
Across Poland red flares lit up the night as crowds carrying the lightning-bolt symbol of the Women’s Strike filled the streets. Chants against the Catholic Church and the then-ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party echoed across the country - defining images of outrage over a near-total abortion ban.
Jul 17, 2025
Notes from Poland
Three doctors have been handed prison sentences for their negligence in treating a pregnant woman who died in hospital under their care. Her death in 2021 prompted mass protests against Poland’s near-total abortion ban, which had been introduced earlier that year.
The 30-year-old woman, Izabela, was admitted to hospital in the 22th week of her pregnancy following a premature rupture of membranes. Her foetus, which had severe developmental defects, subsequently died, and then so did Izabela herself soon after due to septic shock.
Failure of abortion vote raises big questions of whether Tusk can deliver the key social reforms he promised in last year’s election.
JULY 24, 2024
BY WOJCIECH KOŚĆ
WARSAW — Donald Tusk is facing his most severe political setback since becoming Polish prime minister as he hits a brick wall on one of his biggest campaign promises: Increasing access to abortion.
Tusk and his coalition partners pulled off a surprisingly convincing election win in October on the back of pledges to restore the rule of law and push through liberalizing reforms, such as allowing same-sex partnerships and overturning the country’s draconian anti-abortion regulations.
Continued: https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-prime-minister-donald-tusk-abortion-laws-protests/
By Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press
April 11, 2024
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s parliament held a long-awaited debate Thursday on liberalizing the country’s strict abortion law. The traditionally Catholic nation has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe, but many women terminate pregnancies at home with pills mailed from abroad.
Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament considered four proposals and will vote Friday on whether to send them for further work.
Continued: https://apnews.com/article/poland-abortion-law-tusk-b70785a371f16d781906463dbb7ab688
Warsaw (AFP) – An unprecedented mobilisation among women brought a liberal alliance to power in Poland, raising hopes that one of Europe's strictest abortion laws would be scrapped. But now they feel betrayed.
March 8, 2024
A record 74 percent of eligible women voted in the October elections and the mobilisation of young female voters helped pro-Western parties oust the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government.
Now however, many are voicing anger and frustration, saying the government is dragging its feet on changing the laws on women's reproductive rights.
Despite campaign promises, the fight for abortion rights seems far from over.
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
Foreign Policy
After Poland’s parliamentary election in October, many voters were hopeful that the new government would finally scrap the country’s strict abortion law. The law, which had been in place for three decades, was tightened further in 2020, leading to a near-total ban on abortion.
The election ended the eight-year rule of Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS), with the opposition winning enough seats to form a coalition government. In the lead-up to the vote, two of the three groups that made up the opposition—the centrist Civic Coalition and the Left—pledged to legalize abortion up to or through 12 weeks of pregnancy; the former promised to do so within the first 100 days in office.
JAN 12, 2024
Notes from Poland
President Andrzej Duda has issued pardons to two stars of state TV under the former conservative government who were found guilty of criminal defamation against a prominent activist for abortion and LGBT rights.
The pardons of Magdalena Ogórek and Rafał Ziemkiewicz were issued before Christmas but not announced by the president’s office. Following media reports earlier this week, a court has now confirmed that the pair have been pardoned.
JUN 13, 2023
Notes from Poland
Poland’s health minister, Adam Niedzielski, has announced the creation of a special team to help ensure that pregnant women receive appropriate medical care, including abortions if their health is endangered.
His decision follows the latest death of a pregnant woman in hospital. As in some previous cases, the woman’s family and activists have blamed Poland’s near-total abortion ban for the tragedy. But officials say it was a case of medical malpractice.
The right-wing government in Poland, where a near-total abortion ban is in place, now faces accusations it is creating a “pregnancy register.”
By Vanessa Gera, Associated Press
June 06, 2022
WARSAW, Poland -- The government of Poland, where a near-total abortion ban is in place, faced accusations Monday of creating a “pregnancy register” as the country expands the amount of medical data being digitally saved on patients.
Women's rights advocates and opposition politicians fear women face unprecedented surveillance given the conservative views of a ruling party that has already tightened what was one of Europe's most restrictive abortion laws.
Continued: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/poland-abortion-banned-register-pregnancies-85214771
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